Seton LaSalle’s Daniels has scoring touch

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, September 12, 2017 | 5:30 PM

Darryl Daniels exploded onto the WPIAL soccer scene last season.

A standout senior forward on the Seton LaSalle boys soccer team, Daniels transferred from Brashear a year ago. He made a dynamic impact for the Rebels.

Daniels netted a WPIAL-leading 41 goals, and scored in all but two of the games that he played. Daniels and then-senior Chris Stack led the team to a section title and 22-3 overall record. The Rebels advanced to the WPIAL and PIAA semifinals in Class A.

“Darryl was sidelined with a substantial leg injury in our playoff run last year, and he was forced to take some time off to heal in the winter,” coach Ryan Kelly said. “He's been working extremely hard since he returned to his Arsenal FC team in late winter.

“I expect him to build on the success he had last season. He has shown a determination to embrace any deficiencies in his game and work very hard to improve on them. He wants to become a versatile and a complete soccer player to put him in the best spot possible to find the right fit for playing in college.”

Daniels landed multiple postseason accolades in 2016. He received all-region, all-state, All-WPIAL and all-section plaudits, and was named Player of the Year in Class A and in his section.

“My first year at Seton was great,” Daniels said. “It was truly a smooth transition from Brashear; I felt welcomed from the start. I made a lot of new friends, enjoyed time with friends I already knew there, and excelled in the classroom. But what I enjoy most about Seton is the soccer program and the time spent with friends there.

“My goal this season is to perform better than I did last season, and give my all — day in and day out — to help my team win.”

Daniels and Stack were the first soccer players at Seton LaSalle to earn all-state honors since David DelGreco and Alex Fischetti in 2008. Daniels also was the first all-region selection since 2008, when DelGreco and Fischetti were honored.

“Darryl's extremely gifted dribbling the ball; he's one of the best in the area,” Kelly said. “When he is inside the attacking third of the field, he has a tremendous ability to put himself in dangerous positions to create chances (for himself and others).”

Seton LaSalle kicked off the 2017 season at home with tournament wins against Winchester Thurston, 3-1, and Mercyhurst Prep, 4-0. The Rebels are members of Section 4, along with Bentworth, Beth-Center, Bishop Canevin, Brentwood, California, Chartiers-Houston and Monessen.

“I expect big things out of the squad this year, as do my teammates and the coaching staff,” Daniels said. “Last year, we didn't make it to the big games like the WPIAL or state final, so that's our goal this year. We all want to win.”

Daniels, senior Michael Allen and junior Kellen Krebs are the Rebels' team captains this season.

“Darryl's owned the responsibility of captain, along with Kellen and Mike,” Kelly said. “He is embracing being a leader and a more mature player/individual as he looks to play at the next level. I've only known him for a full year now, but his overall maturity on and off the field has been noticeable.”

Opposing teams around the WPIAL certainly have taken notice.

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.